ound echoed noisily from the dark
vaulting of the nave and chancel. The janitor or sexton, a severe old
fellow, who wore a skull cap and loose slippers, was making a great
to-do with a pile of pew cushions in a remote corner. The rain drummed
with incessant monotony upon the slates overhead, and upon the stained
windows on either hand. Page, who attended the church regularly every
Sunday morning, now found it all strangely unfamiliar. The saints in
the windows looked odd and unecclesiastical; the whole suggestion of
the place was uncanonical. In the organ loft a tuner was at work upon
the organ, and from time to time the distant mumbling of the thunder
was mingled with a sonorous, prolonged note from the pipes.

"My word, how it is raining," whispered Aunt Wess', as the pour upon
the roof suddenly swelled in volume.

But Page had taken a prayer book from the rack, and kneeling upon a
hassock was repeating the Litany to herself.

It annoyed Aunt Wess'. Excited, aroused, the little old lady was never
more in need of a listener. Would Page never be through?

"And Laura's new frock," she whispered, vaguely. "It's going to be
ruined."

Page, her lips forming the words, "Good Lord deliver us," fixed her
aunt with a reproving glance. To pass the time Aunt Wess' began
counting the pews, missing a number here and there, confusing herself,
always obliged to begin over again. From the direction of the vestry
room came the sound of a closing door. Then all fell silent again. Even
the shuffling of the janitor ceased for an instant.

"Isn't it still?" murmured Aunt Wess', her head in the air. "I wonder
if that was them. I heard a door slam. They tell me that the rector has
been married three times." Page, unheeding and demure, turned a leaf,
and began with "All those who travel by land or water." Mr. Cressler
and young Miss Gretry appeared. They took their seats behind Page and
Aunt Wess', and the party exchanged greetings in low voices. Page
reluctantly laid down her prayer book.

"Laura will be over soon," whispered Mr. Cressler. "Carrie is with her.
I'm going into the vestry room. J. has just come." He took himself off,
walking upon his tiptoes.

Aunt Wess' turned to Page, repeating:

"Do you know they say this rector has been married three times?"

But Page was once more deep in her prayer book, so the little old lady
addressed her remark to the Gretry girl.

This other, however, her lips tightly compressed, made a d